Henderson, Mark, Gunner, 958070, 125 Anti-tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Mark was the son of Walter (1882-1969) and Margaret (née Johnson, 1882-1966) Henderson. Walter and Margaret were natives of County Durham, marrying there in 1906. They had ten children: Eva (b.1907), Nora (b.1908), Mary Ethel (b.1913), Hannah (b. 1914), Walter (b. 1916), Mark (b.1918), Jane (b.1921), Alan (b.1922), Winifred M J (b. 1925) and Thomas W (b.1929). Sometime in the next ten years they moved to Spondon, living at “Dunelm”, Borrowash Road in 1939. By then, Walter who had been a coal miner in 1911 was now working as a gardener.

It is not clear when Mark joined up, but the 125 Artillery Regiment served in France, being evacuated at Dunkirk. After that, their role changed to an anti-tank regiment and in 1941 they were shipped out to Singapore. Being bombed en route they arrived just as the city surrendered and became prisoners of war. Their harrowing experiences are recorded by Captain Ridley and Major MacKenzie here.

Mark was repatriated after the war but died at his parent’s home on 28 November 1950 and buried in Spondon Cemetery four days later.

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